Environment Ministers Meeting – 10 December 2024
12 December 2024
Australia’s Environment Ministers convened to address critical national issues in advancing Australia’s circular economy and nature positive transition.
All states and territories, except Queensland, reached a consensus on key measures. Queensland expressed its commitment to reducing waste and increasing recycling, noting plans to update its Waste Strategy in 2025 to better align with the specific needs of Queenslanders.
Key outcomes of the meeting to note for members:
- Finalised the Australian Government’s National Circular Economy Framework to accelerate the transition.
- Agreed to enhance the National Waste Policy Action Plan to drive efforts to meet 2030 waste targets.
- Acknowledged further Commonwealth consultation with governments and industry in early 2025 to progress packaging design guidance.
- Agreed in principle to the National Kerbside Collections Roadmap, establishing a standardised list of minimum items for collection and recycling nationwide.
- Endorsed the release of the National Roadmap: Harmonising action on problematic and unnecessary plastics, which identifies 24 items targeted for reduction, with jurisdictions agreeing in principle to coordinate future action where possible.
- Committed to publish an updated PFAS National Environmental Management Plan in early 2025, aligned with the new Industrial Chemicals Environmental Management Standard (iChEMS), which restricts PFOA, PFOS and PFHxS from 1 July 2025.
The AFGC supports a unified approach and the actions taken by the Environment Ministers to advance progress towards a circular economy.
The AFGC will keep members informed as these policy documents are released and engage with members further once the packaging design guidance consultation is released. If you have any questions on the Environment Ministers Meeting, please contact Sarah Collier, Acting Director of Sustainability, sarah.collier@afgc.org.au.
The full communique can be accessed here.
